The wildcard round is set, and everyone knows the when and the where of the schedule now. The only fanbase more disappointed in Pittsburgh falling out of the fifth seed than the Steelers is probably the Texans. As much as we viewed Houston as the weakest link in the playoffs, I’m sure they were viewing us with the same opinion.

I can’t blame the Texans fans for being upset. The four game losing streak has become more and more ugly with each game. The Bengals have one of the worst defensive units in the league, but they made the Steelers look like they were being led by Duck Hodges instead of a proven veteran like Russell Wilson. The play calling went back into “don’t kill us” mode against Cincinnati, and when they did call a pass play, it was either being dropped or Wilson had his eyes in the wrong place and took costly sacks instead of delivering the ball to the open man.

There is still one more game to be played, but my football thoughts are already transitioning to off-season mode. Yes, the Steelers have won many games against Baltimore recently. I think if we were all honest about those games, we would acknowledge that Lamar Jackson missed many of them, and the Ravens did much to beat themselves in those contests. If both teams play their best and don’t make mistakes, it’s likely that the playoff losing streak will continue yet again.

It feels like it’s high time for major changes. We all know the regular season win record and the playoff failure record by heart, so I am not going to rehash it now. We know it so well because the Steelers have been stuck in the Groundhog Day movie syndrome for many years now. It’s the same results over and over. At some point in the season, changes are always promised, but running the toss sweep to the left instead of the right one time doesn’t really count as a change in my book.

Any other organization would look at this finish to the season and another early postseason exit (officially counting one egg as a chicken here as it has not been played yet) and make several changes to the coaching staff, potentially all the way up to the head man. I’m not sure what the chances are of Art Rooney II actually doing that, but I would imagine it’s not far off from the odds of winning the Powerball lottery.

Portions of the fan base and media always react with shock and outrage at the mere suggestion of it possibly being time for Mike Tomlin to move on to another team or the broadcast booth. They make it seem like an insult and that the team would never find another good head coach. I disagree with both. Good and successful head coaches move on from NFL teams all the time. It’s a natural part of the business. It doesn’t diminish what they did or the person that they are. Sometimes…it’s just time. A fresh start can be good for all parties involved.

I hate cliches and crutch phrases. Podcasts get two per episode and then I have to turn them off. A common one now regarding the Steelers is the one about how crazy it is to expect different results if you are doing the same thing over and over. I will concede that some cliches are born from truth. Ever since the Duck Hodges season, Mike Tomlin has had a very conservative offensive philosophy burned into his brain. If Bruce Arians has the “no risk it, no biscuit” approach for his quarterbacks, then Mike Tomlin’s would be “if you risk it, I will burn your biscuits” for his signal callers.

So we understand that the Steelers organization will be crazy, in that they will run this all back again. There will be little change in staff, philosophy, or personnel. With next year’s schedule having Detroit, Minnesota, Green Bay, and Buffalo, not to mention the usual AFC North foes, go ahead and lay your bets now for another nine win season and wildcard loss. Bleh, I say, bleh.

So allow me if you will, to suggest my own insane scenario. Adam Schefter mentioned that it was possible that teams could be reaching out about a trade for Mike Tomlin. Of course, that is highly unlikely. Like, getting attacked by a polar bear on a Miami beach unlikely. But now, in this fantasy world, Art and I have both dropped a quarter into the same Zoltar machine, or pulled a Freaky Friday body swap wish, and now I’m running things. As Prince would say, let’s go crazy.

The first thing I’m doing is trading George Pickens. Yes, he is capable of making spectacular plays. He also is capable of self-destructing in every game, destroying team chemistry, and just checking out mentally when things get tough. He is a 1970’s era Italian sports car. It might be fast, but it’s also going to break down and leave you stranded more often than not. He’d rather argue with fans than focus on making a catch. A true number one receiver needs to set the example for how to play, not be the example for what not to do. Hines Ward, how we miss you.

The Patriots have fired Jarod Mayo after just one season, which is also crazy on the opposite end of the Pittsburgh spectrum. Say they call inquiring about a trade. I’m making that deal. I’m asking for a second and a third round pick, plus we get Joe Milton III. I watched him play against the Bills, and yes, they were sitting several starters, but you can’t fake accuracy, ball velocity, and being able to throw on the run. Joe was pinpoint with ball placement, pulling the trigger with confidence, and made plays with his legs. Compared to the quarterback play I’ve watched all season with the Steelers, it was like the storm clouds parting and a warm ray of sunshine hitting me right in the feel goods. I’m letting Russell Wilson move on with his life’s work, signing Justin Fields, but only with the understanding that it will be a competition, and Milton will have a chance to earn the job.

Back in the real world, I would have zero confidence in the Steelers current coaching staff developing a young player like Milton. But I’ve made the trade of Tomlin to the Pats, and now I’m going after an offensive mind like Ben Johnson. I’m expanding the staff and telling him to go get the coordinators he believes in on both sides of the ball. The Tampa Two zone coverage is as antiquated as the three yards and a cloud of dust approach on offense. Ben has seen a defense decimated by injuries still get the job done and play with aggression to win the game, instead of sitting back and playing with the bend don’t break passive philosophy. Steeler Nation has been clamoring for change, and I’m giving them a supersized dose of it.

None of that will happen, of course, but a guy can dream, can’t he? Perhaps you think I’m crazy to suggest all that, and you might be right. Regardless if it worked or not, it would be a seismic shift of change, and that alone would be exciting to see. We’ve all been watching the same show now since 2017. Steeler Nation always shows up, and it would be a shame if it took empty seats in the stadium before changes are made. Sometimes, it’s just time. If the Steelers lose in Baltimore next week and finish with five straight losses, it might take more than just another empty promise of change to make a difference.